Auto mechanic and U.S. Army veteran Alan Bonnin was a provider in every sense of the word.
He worked long hours, sometimes seven days a week, to take care of his wife, Connie, and their four sons. He knew it was worth it as he looked forward to the vacations and dreams they would be able to pursue down the road.
But life had other plans. When Alan was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2022, he was forced into early retirement, leaving him worried about his family’s financial future.
Despite these struggles, the Bonnins knew they wouldn’t give up. Their decision to pursue mesothelioma compensation would ultimately help Alan pay for treatment and ensure financial security for his wife and sons for years to come.
“Every day we make it’s another day closer to a cure, and that’s how we have to look at it.”
Learn more about Alan’s story, from being diagnosed with mesothelioma to seeking treatment, pursuing legal support, and embracing new adventures with his family.
A Shocking Diagnosis Reveals Lifelong Asbestos Exposure
For some time, Alan suffered from a persistent cough that he attributed to post-nasal drip. After Connie urged him to go to the doctor, they discovered fluid building up in the lining of his lungs, also known as pleural effusion.
He had the fluid drained on multiple occasions, but it only provided temporary relief until the fluid built up again.
When Alan’s lung collapsed due to the fluid buildup, doctors opted for surgery to drain the fluid and take tissue samples for a biopsy. After the procedure, doctors had one question for him: “Have you ever been exposed to asbestos?”
Alan and Connie looked at each other, stunned. Doctors confirmed he had pleural mesothelioma, a rare asbestos-related cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Tracing Asbestos Exposure Throughout Alan’s Life
In his younger years, Alan’s father worked at a hydroelectric dam and came into contact with asbestos every day. As he got older, Alan helped at his father’s auto mechanic job.
He’d replace old brake pads and had no idea he was breathing in asbestos fibers that would later cost him his health.
“It’s important to share my story to raise awareness because I wasn’t really aware of the dangers of asbestos. I didn’t even think about how much I was being exposed.”
Eventually, Alan enlisted in the U.S. Army. When his service ended, Alan went back to working on brakes before taking a maintenance job at a factory.
Many survivors had no clue they were exposed to asbestos until their diagnosis. Read their stories in our Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide.
A Family That Fights Together
After his mesothelioma diagnosis, Alan went from working long hours almost every day to a complete standstill. However, he refused to give up, something Connie attributes to his stubbornness.
They found hope in the fact that he was eligible for mesothelioma treatment even though his cancer was advanced.
Alan started immunotherapy to keep the cancer from spreading further and improve his life expectancy.
“I really don’t care that they say there’s no cure or they say that it’s terminal. I’m not going to let it kill me.”
Connie recalled the whole family, including their four sons, stepping in to act as caregivers.
When Alan was sent to a rehabilitation center to get around-the-clock care, he faced challenges and neglect that made Connie fear if he’d ever bounce back.
But, their youngest son, Jacob, stepped up to help by cleaning wounds and paying for medication. It was never just Alan against mesothelioma. It was him and his family every step of the way.
Mesothelioma Settlements Bring Financial Stability and Hope
When friends heard about Alan’s diagnosis, they recommended that they immediately take legal action. Alan and Connie were hesitant since they had never worked with a lawyer before.
However, as the medical bills continued to come in, they knew they needed help. They called a mesothelioma law firm and found a legal team that had the expertise to lead them through every step of the process.
“We filed a mesothelioma lawsuit because we knew it was more than we could handle on our own. These companies need to be held accountable, and we came to realize it’s not going to be a cheap fight.
Their mesothelioma lawyer traveled to Alan and Connie’s home to meet them. He listened to their story, helped gather evidence of Alan’s asbestos exposure, and fought to secure him the compensation he deserved.
Once the first mesothelioma settlement came through, they booked a flight to Washington to help Alan’s disabled brother, who was at risk of losing his home.
“That should tell you everything there is to know about my husband,” Connie shared. “Here he is battling mesothelioma, and he’ll fly from Tennessee to Washington to help his brother.”
If you or someone you love is facing mesothelioma, there’s help out there. Get a Free Case Review today to see if you’re eligible for financial compensation.
Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
Creating Memories in a Different Way
Today, Alan continues to fight mesothelioma. His daily life looks different as he needs a wheelchair to get around. The trips and vacations the Bonnins had hoped to take are on hold, but they’ve found other ways to bring fun and adventure into their lives.
Alan and Connie first met through tabletop gaming, so they’ve continued their favorite hobby together. They’ve even passed on the love of gaming to their sons.
Although it’s harder for Alan to get around these days, he and Connie have been able to cross places off their bucket list of travel destinations with the help of virtual reality (VR) headsets.
“Now that I’ve got the mobility issues, we’re looking at trying to do virtual vacations. We’ve already visited the 9/11 memorial site in VR, and it’s incredible.“
While their lives look different than they imagined, they have each other — and more time with Alan.
Helping Families with Mesothelioma Get Support
Alan Bonnin and his family are proof of the importance of seeking support in the fight against mesothelioma. You don’t have to walk this path by yourself.
Our team can connect you with:
- Top mesothelioma doctors in your area
- Experienced asbestos lawyers who can help you seek financial compensation
- A community of fellow mesothelioma patients and caregivers
“Mesothelioma is not a disease to travel alone. Accept outside help. Look for support groups. You’re going to need every tool in your arsenal ready to battle against this disease.”
Contact our Patient Advocates at (866) 608-8933 or get our Free Survivors Guide to learn how families like yours found the support they needed.
